Battle of Laredo facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Laredo
Part of the Trans-Mississippi Theater of the American Civil War
Date 18 March 1864 Location Laredo, Texas Result Confederate victory
Belligerents
CSA (Confederacy)	United States (Union)
Commanders and leaders
Santos Benavides	Alfred F. Holt
Units involved
	1st Texas Cavalry Regiment
Strength
42	200
Casualties and losses
0	2 killed

The Battle of Laredo was a small but important fight during the American Civil War. It happened on March 18, 1864, in Laredo, Texas. This battle was about controlling a key route for sending cotton to Mexico.

Why Was Laredo Important?

During the American Civil War, the Confederacy needed money. They sold cotton to other countries to get funds. Laredo, Texas, was a very important place for this trade. It was a main route to export cotton into Mexico.

Thousands of bales of cotton were gathered in Laredo. They were waiting to be sent across the border. This cotton was a valuable resource for the Confederacy.

The Union's Goal

The Union army wanted to stop this trade. They knew that destroying the cotton would hurt the Confederacy. So, on March 18, 1864, Major Alfred F. Holt led a Union force. They came from Brownsville, Texas.

Major Holt's mission was clear. He wanted to destroy 5,000 bales of cotton. These bales were stacked at the San Agustín Plaza in Laredo.

Who Fought in the Battle?

The Union force was led by Major Alfred F. Holt. His soldiers were from the 1st Texas Cavalry Regiment. There were about 200 Union soldiers in total.

The Confederate defenders were led by Colonel Santos Benavides. He commanded a much smaller group. There were only 42 Confederate soldiers under his command.

The Fight for the Cotton

The Union soldiers attacked Laredo to reach the cotton. They tried to break through the Confederate defenses. The fighting took place near Zacate Creek.

Colonel Benavides and his small group fought bravely. They had to protect the cotton at all costs. The Union force attacked three times. Each time, the Confederates pushed them back.

What Happened Next?

Despite being outnumbered, Colonel Benavides's soldiers held their ground. They successfully stopped the Union attacks. The Union force could not reach the cotton bales.

Because of this victory, Colonel Benavides secured the passage of the 5,000 cotton bales. The cotton was safely moved into Mexico. This was a significant win for the Confederacy. It allowed them to continue their vital trade.